The latest news and information regarding St. Louis car accidents. Car accident attorney Christopher Hoffmann provides useful tips on what to do if you are involved a Missouri auto accident and how you can work to prevent such accidents from happening.

March 2019

03/30/2019

Put together the words “dog” and “accident”, and most people will think of bites. While one does not usually think dogs can cause car accidents, the reality shows quite a different story. Loose dogs on the road could potentially cause car crashes, putting the drivers, passengers, and the dog itself in great danger.

If this happens, what are your options?

What Does the Law Say?

In Missouri, pet owners are responsible for their pets. Therefore, aside from offering them the care they need, that can also mean liability in certain unfortunate situations. As such, the victims of a car accident caused by a loose dog will have to file a claim or a lawsuit against the dog owner to receive compensation.

While the state has a law specifically about dog bites and how to proceed to get compensation for them, it does not say anything of other injuries that a dog can cause. Still, victims of a car accident caused by a dog can get compensation by filing a personal injury claim.

However, you’ll also have to prove the dog owner was negligent to get compensation, which is not an easy process. Evidence will have to be gathered to show the owner did not take the proper precautions to secure the dog and avoid them roaming free on the roads.

If that isn’t hard enough, there may also be an instance where the pet owner did properly secure their pet, but they just got away and ran into the streets. You may still have a chance to prove negligence, though it greatly depends on the details of the event.

Keep in mind that Missouri is a pure comparative fault state, which means multiple parties can be found responsible (and liable for damages). For instance, the pet owner can be held 80% liable for total damages, because they did not take the necessary precautions to prevent their pup from running free into the road.

However, you may also be found 20% responsible for causing property damage, in which case you too can be held liable for compensation. Because these cases are often quite complicated, it’s best not to go through them alone.

What Can You Do?

The first thing you should do in these situations is to reach out to The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. and discuss your case. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a loose dog, then the pet owner may be held accountable for this unfortunate situation.

The success of your claim greatly depends on the circumstances of the accidents and how you can show the dog owner’s negligence was the direct cause for the accident. An experienced lawyer can guide you through this process and grow your chances of getting compensated for your injuries.

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare, hearing their child has been injured on a school bus. You put your faith in these drivers, thinking your child will safely reach school or home, but the reality is that all means of transportation come with some level of risk.

Most states, Missouri included, have extra traffic laws that protect school buses. As a result, the nation-wide statistics for accidents involving school buses are only at 0.4%. However, even if the number shows the chances are slim, it doesn’t mean accidents can’t happen. When they do, parents can be left wondering how to proceed.

What Does the Law Say?

Missouri drivers are required to stop when a school bus stops to let students on or off the vehicle, whether it’s at the educational institution or in the area where the children live. Still, distracted drivers, or those who are too impatient to wait, can violate these rules and cause an unfortunate incident.

When that happens, then the parents can ask for compensation from the at-fault driver. They can either file a personal injury claim on the child’s behalf with the driver’s insurance company, or even sue for negligence if the case warrants such a move. Your School Bus Accident Lawyer can advise you what is best for your case.

However, there is also the possibility of the school bus driver being at-fault. In this case, matters can be more complicated.

If the school bus driver is at fault, you may be able to recover compensation from the school district, which should have insurance for these type of events. Since they are a government entity, it can be quite difficult to demand compensation from them. The process is quite laborious and involves a lot more steps than if you’d be asking another driver for compensation. You should consult with your lawyer if this is the case. You will have to prove these other parties were negligent and caused the suffering of your child.

We Can Help!

It’s impossible to imagine what a parent feels when they find out their child has been injured. If you are in this situation, please contact a The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to discuss your case and decide your next steps.

03/04/2019

Ride-sharing companies are becoming more and more popular. You can get a car at your front door with just a few taps on a smartphone. However, whenever someone gets injured during an Uber ride, the question is: who is held responsible?

Even in cases where your Uber driver was at fault, it may prove difficult to get compensation for your injuries. This is why you should consider speaking with a St. Louis Uber accident attorney as soon as possible.

Collecting Damages from Uber

There are some studies that suggest Uber and other such companies can often have a negative effect on traffic and increase the number of collisions. Whether this proves true or not, the victims of these accidents are often left wondering what is the best way they can get compensation.

As a Missouri resident, you are generally entitled to collect damages sustained while in an Uber vehicle if it is found that the driver was responsible for the accident. Uber offers its drivers insurance that can protect them from loss of income or cover medical expenses for this exact reason. As such, you’ll typically have to collect damages from the Uber driver’s insurer.

If, however, you intend to file a lawsuit, then chances are you will be dealing with the driver, and not the company. Uber drivers are independent contractors, and therefore the company generally cannot be held liable for the reckless actions of one of their drivers. Instead, any lawsuit will be filed against the driver of the vehicle that caused your injuries.

The only possible scenario where the company is liable for a suit is if you prove negligence on their part, such as not doing their due diligence when screening potential drivers. If there is no proof of negligence, then the company will likely bear no responsiblity.

Moreover, if the Uber driver is not at fault for the accident, then any claim you’ll want to file will likely be against the insurance company of the other driver.

What Should You Do?

It can be very difficult to determine who is at fault in a car accident. Insurance companies will often conduct their investigations to determine who is the party responsible, particularly if someone files a claim against them. If they deem the accident was not caused by the individual they insure, it’s possible they can dismiss the claim.

It’s best to work with a good St. Louis car accident lawyer, especially if they also have experience in handling cases involving Uber or other ride-sharing companies. They will review your case and recommend the best course of action to get compensated, so don’t hesitate to ask for their help if you’re in this situation. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242 and we can review your case free of charge.